Report Classification & Risk

Analysis of explosion aragas@ind-ex.ae

ATMOSPHERE RISK ANALYSIS GAS PLUS

Classification and risk analysis of the areas at risk of explosion due to the presence of
flammable gases and vapours in accordance with IEC 60079-10-1 (Edition 3.0 2020-12),
EN 1127-1 and UNI CEI 70029

General data:

Project name Example 01

Environment name Environment name

Environment type Natural

Source of release name SR 01: SR Name

Source of release position SR Location

Flammable substance Natural gas (NG)

Ambient pressure, pa 101300 Pa

Ambient temperature, Ta 30 °C

Rate of release Wg [kg/s]

Calculation of emission rate Wg [kg/s] due to the jet in single phase gas/vapour.

Jet only Gas/vapour – rate of release Wg unknown

It is necessary to establish if the gas can go out the containment system, in which it is as gaseous phase, with
a low velocity in a subsonic regime (no turbulent flow condition), or with a high velocity in a sonic regime
(turbulent flow condition).

To evaluate the type of flow condition, it is applied the follow relation:

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pc = pa +1 −1
= 186000 Pa - [B.2 – IEC60079-10-1]
2

Where pc is the critical pressure

The velocity of released gas is choked (sonic) if the pressure inside the gas container is higher than the critical
pressure pc.

To define the polytropic index to adiabatic expansion in ideal gases can be used the following formula (for
ideal gs):

cp Mcp
= 1,31 [f.GB.4.1-2]
==
cv Mcp −R
Release rate of gas with choked gas velocity (sonic releases)
Choked gas velocity (see B.7.2.3 of IEC 60079-10-1) is equal to the speed of sound for the gas. This is the
maximum theoretical discharge velocity.
The release rate of gas from a container, if the gas velocity is choked, can be estimated by means of the
following approximations:

[B.5 - IEC 60079-10-1]

In equation it is considered that the emission takes place at the speed of sound:

= 326,1 [m/s] - [f.GB.4.1-4]

Release rate of gas with non-choked gas velocity (subsonic releases)

Non choked gas velocity is a discharge velocity below the speed of sound for the particular gas.

The release rate of gas from a container, if the gas velocity is non-choked, can be estimated by means of the
following approximation:

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The speed of the gas in the emission point can be calculated by the formula

W u0 =
= 388 m/s - [f.GB.4.1-6]
g

Cd exit S
The density of the gas, by sonic flow at the opening, can be calculated with the following
formula (if the flow is subsonic exit= 0):

= 36,05 kg/m3

The calculation of the equivalent density, 0, starting from the initial density can be calculated with the following
formula:

= 2,12 kg/m3 - [f.GB.4.1-7]

The volumetric flow rate of gas in (m3/s) is equal to:

W
= 0,00367 m3/s - [B.4 IEC 60079-10-1]
Qg =
g
g

the density of the gas is

p M g
= 0,714 kg/m3
=a

NOTE Where the temperature of the gas at the

R Ta release opening may be below the ambient temperature, Ta is often
used as equal to the gas temperature to provide an approximation for the purpose of easier calculation.
Release rate:
Number of releases 1

Discharge coefficient, Cd 0,75

Hole cross section, S 0,25 mm2

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Type of flow, φ Sonic flow φ: 1

Absolute pressure immediately after the exit, p0 101300 Pa

Absolute pressure inside the container in the emission point, p 7601300 Pa

The Universal Gas constant, R 8314 J/kmol K

Compressibility Factor, Z 1

Temperature of the substance, T 283,15 K

Main rate of release, Wg 0,00262 kg/s

Residual rate of release, Wgr 0,00262 kg/s

Characteristics of release:
Flammable substance Natural gas (NG)
Physical state of the substance Gaseous (gas or vapour)
Molar mass, M 17,77 kg/kmol
Lower flammable limit, LFL 4,43 %vol.
Auto-ignition temperature, AIT 482 °C
Relative density of a gas or a vapour to air 0,595
Fugitive emissions (Continuous) 0 kg/s
Source of release, SR SR Description
Grade of release Secondary
Safety factor, k 1
Main release characteristic, Qc 0,0828 m³/s
Residual release characteristic, Qc 0,0828 m³/s

Effects of release:
Type of release Diffusive
Critical concentration, Xcrit. 0,0111 vol./vol. equal to 25 % of LFL Background concentration,, Xb. 0 vol./vol.
Time required to reach Xcrit., td -s
Concentrations comparison, Xb<Xcrit Verified
Degree of dilution Medium
Type of Zone Zone 2

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Type of equipment 3G Ex n, ic for Zone 2 - EPL Gc IIAT1

Extent of zone, a=dz -Jet -m a = kz∙dz = - m
Extent of zone, a=dz - Diffusive 1,23 m a = kz∙dz = 1,23 m
Extent of zone, a=dz - Heavy gas -m a = kz∙dz = - m

W
Qc = g

LFL k
g

Estimating the extent of the hazardous zone dz [m]

The extent of the hazardous zone or region where flammable gas may occur depends on the release rate and
several other factors such as gas properties and release geometry and surrounding geometry. Figure D.1 may
be used as a guide to determine the extent of hazardous zones for various forms of release. Other forms of
calculation or assessment based on reputable sources, e.g. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) may also be
applied.
The appropriate line should be selected based on the type of release as either:

Figure D.1 – Chart for estimating hazardous area distances

Where a zone of negligible extent (NE) is suggested then the use of this chart is not applicable.

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The curves are based on a zero background concentration and are not applicable for indoor low dilution
situations.

Figure D.1 of IEC 60079-10-1 limits below and above the extension of the Danger Zone:
Below
1) Jet dz ≥ 1 m;
2) Diffusive dz ≥ 1 m;
3) Heavy gas dz ≥ 1,5 m.

Is the responsibility of the professional classifier assume a different value1.

Table D.1 – Zones for grade of release and effectiveness of ventilation

1
Extrapolation of the curves beyond the chart area shown in Figure D.1 should not be undertaken due to other factors that
will affect the assessment beyond the limits indicated.

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Figure C.1 – Chart for assessing the degree of dilution

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Dilution with air of a flammable substance release - Qamin,

The theoretical minimum ventilation flow rate of fresh air to dilute a given release of flammable substance to a
concentration below the lower flammable limit Qamin can be calculated by means of the equation:

Q
= 0,0821 m3/s – [J.1 IEC 60079-10-1]
Qamin =
Where: g Ta
LFLv 293
LFL
= 0,033 kg/m3
LFLm = v

100 g

Estimate of the time required to dilute a flammable substance release

The theoretical time td required to dilute the concentration of flammable substance from a Xb to o a required
critical concentration Xcrit, in a specific volume, can be estimated from:

f X
= - s - [J.2 IEC 60079-10-1 modified]
td =
b
ln
a
where Xcrit
C
fa = is the ventilation (in)efficiency of environment
td = is the theoretical time required to dilute a defined value of flammable substance concentration to another
one lesser than first (s);
C = is the number of air changes per unit time in the specific volume (s-1);
Xb = is the flammable substance background concentration at steady-state conditions (vol./vol.);
Xcrit = is the desired/critical value of the flammable substance concentration (vol./vol.).

Coefficient kz
The kz is the corrective coefficient to be applied at distance dz to take into account the concentration of
flammable gas or vapor in the environment (far field).

k1 X b

= 1 [Guide CEI 31-35 3.26]

kz =eM LFLv
k1= 13 for substances with molar
mass M < 5; k1 = 82 for other gases or vapors.

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For open areas kz=1.

Flammable substance background concentration Xb%

The background concentration Xb(t)% after the release time t [s] can be evaluated by means the follow equation

Q
X b (t)% = f g
(1−eC t ) 100
Q1 +Qg

f = is the ventilation (in)efficiency of the emission source.

The graph in Figure A1 shows the trend over time of the average hazardous substance concentration in the far
field (Xb (t)%) for the emission level considered.

Not applicable

Figure A1 - Xb(t)%

when the steady condition is established (after the transient period):

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Q
[C.1 – IEC 60079-10-
X b% = f g
100 1]
Q1 + Qg

Q2 = Q1 +Qg = C Va

The figure is representative of Zones classification

Reductive coefficient R of the hazardous distance dz

For materials and/or mixtures characterised by a flash point (Ti) bigger than the maximum ambient temperature
(Ta) and released at a temperature (Tu), which is above the flashpoint (Ti) but below the boiling point Te, it
can be evaluated carefully the cooling that these materials and/or mixtures undergone when are released from
the containment system to the ambient

For each case analysed, it is possible to estimate if it is appropriated to multiply the hazardous distance “dz”
per the reductive coefficient R. The value of R can be obtained by the follow plot (contained in the guide CEI
64-2 fig. 3.12 fourth edition 1990 and incorporated into the guide CEI 31-35).

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Figure 1- reductive coefficient of the

hazardous zone extension GB.5.2-A of
the guide CEI 31-35

Froude number Fr (not applicabile)

Fr is Froude number;
0 is the density of the gas leaving the emission source [kg/m3]; a

is the density of the air [kg/m3];

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u0 is outlet gas velocity [m/s]; d is the

diameter of the source of release[m]; g is
2
gravity acceleration 9,81 [m/s ].
The jet area will have an amplitude not less than the following:

= [m]

J [m] is the limit of momentum region.

The limit of momentum region J is of the dzJet necessary to consider the extent of the danger zone due to
diffusion by diffusion dzDiffusive.

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EXPLOSION RISK ASSESSMENT

Area Environment name

Presence of workers Distance of the load R [m] -

Substance Natural gas (NG) Explosion index KG [bar∙m/s] 0

Source of release SR 01: Test

Obstruction/confinement:

FIRST TYPE OF ZONE

Zone Zone 2

dza [m] 1,23

a [m] = kz∙dza 1,23

b [m] -

c [m] -

Equipment 3G Ex n, ic for Zone 2 - EPL Gc IIAT1

SECOND TYPE OF ZONE

Zone

dza [m]

a [m] = kz∙dza

b [m]

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c [m]

Equipment

FACTORS OF THE RISK OF EXPLOSION FOR: FIRST TYPE OF ZONE 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Probability of presence an explosive atmosphere (hazard factor P) X

Presence of efficacy ignition source (hazard factor C) X

Evaluation of explosion effects (consequences factor D) X

Risk index= P·C·D R0

Partial risk R’ index R0

Total Risk index=R + R’ R0

FACTORS OF THE RISK OF EXPLOSION FOR: SECOND TYPE OF ZONE 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Probability of presence an explosive atmosphere (hazard factor P)

Presence of efficacy ignition source (hazard factor C)

Evaluation of explosion effects (consequences factor D)

Risk index= P·C·D

Partial risk R’ index

Total Risk index=R + R’

RISK INDEX = P X C X D + PARTIAL RISK INDEX - FIRST TYPE OF ZONE

Risk index Negligible Low Medium High

Negligible risk X

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RISK INDEX = P X C X D + PARTIAL RISK INDEX - SECOND TYPE OF ZONE

Risk index Negligible Low Medium High

Priority intervention improvement actions for the First type of Zone

No action, The probability of the presence of explosive atmospheres is almost impossible and there are no
sources of ignition effective. The exposure level is almost zero, so there is no damage to persons or
property. The probability of propagation of the explosion is to be considered almost nothing

Priority intervention improvement actions for the Second type of Zone

aragas@ind-ex.ae

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